Senior Services provides culturally competent, comprehensive services to seniors and their families across the state of Washington. Senior Services offers programs to support elderly adults to remain independent and supported while staying connected to the community around them.
Proven Success
Senior Services believes that healthy aging affects the whole community. Their services touch the lives of all generations—the young child being raised by a grandparent; the working middle-aged son or daughter caring for an aging parent; the newly-retired senior seeking fellowship and purpose; or the frail senior living alone, striving to remain independent. King County is home to an increasingly diverse aging population, and programs are updated to address emerging needs.
In 2011 and 2012, their Aging Your Way process resulted in 12 community gatherings and a Summit that emphasized what people can do with and for each other, building on neighborhood strengths, across sectors, to assure a more positive aging for all. These were successful events and engaged about 700 people. They hope this initiative will increase their effectiveness and that of their centers in terms of meeting the needs of younger, rising seniors.
Best Practices
Senior Services has focused on making a transformation over the past seven years from an organization that looked primarily inward and did not have a high profile in neighborhoods or in communities of color. That has changed in recent years. Their partner database lists more than 100 organizations with whom they have strong relationships, many of which have been established in the past 5 years.
Financial Health
Senior Services has put additional emphasis on private fundraising and increased board engagement. The agency has also been working towards improving internal networks and integration of fundraising and program work. Donations are up in almost every category from small to large. However, corporate sponsorships are down. It takes a lot more time to get fewer event sponsorships than ever.
Sustainability
They were active advocates and organized a number of their colleagues this past legislative session. Through the collective efforts of these organizations, the people they serve, and the Senior Lobby, they held the funding for aging programs constant, which was a victory considering all the cuts made.
Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:
Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:
| Date | Amount | | Purpose |
|---|
| 12/10/2012 |
$20,000.00 |  | provide general operating support. | | 12/10/2011 |
$30,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 12/10/2010 |
$30,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 10/1/2008 |
$75,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 10/5/2006 |
$40,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 6/17/2004 |
$75,000.00 | | support the Northshore Health and Wellness Center Capital Campaign and support general operating expenses for three core programs. |
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